Metal Extraction

UNDERSTANDING METAL OXIDES

Metals combine with oxygen to form METAL OXIDES.

Most metals are found as METAL OXIDES in the environment in rocks called ORES, so they require chemical reactions to extract the PURE METAL from it.

OXIDATION AND REDUCTION

OXIDATION:

When metals like Iron or Aluminum react with Oxygen, they form metal oxides. This is known as oxidation, a chemical process involving the GAIN OF OXYGEN or the LOSS OF ELECTRONS.

REDUCTION:

The process of EXTRACTING a metal from its oxide is known as a reduction reaction, because it involves the LOSS OF OXYGEN or the GAIN OF ELECTRONS.